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Research Project
Small scale power generation Unit using Biomass gasification - SUBe
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Evaluation of temperature on the pyrolysis of residual biomass
Publication . Batista, Gabriel de Freitas; Brito, Paulo
Residual biomass is considered a critical potential source for renewable and sustainable generation of fuels.
Residual biomass characterization and evaluation of its influence on pyrolysis processes
Publication . Batista, Gabriel de Freitas; Brito, Paulo
Biomass is extensively accepted as one of the main potential sources for sustainable and renewable generation of fuels, chemicals and other carbon-based materials. Many advantages are reported using biomass as an energy source, such as being a non-polluting alternative and its carbon neutrality. Numerous processes can be used to convert biomass, and namely the pyrolysis process is a renewable, economical, and efficient way to produce chemicals and/or energy. Therefore, pyrolysis is an available technology for biomass conversion into energy. It consists of a thermal decomposition process with the absence of oxygen, converting biomass into 3 fractions: biochar (solid fraction), bio-oil (liquid fraction) and gases. Hence, pyrolysis is a recognized industrial process for biomass energy and chemical conversion. The bio-oil and biochar can be used as a fuel and as fertilizer respectively, and the gases can be recycled back into the process. Biomass samples were characterized by proximate analysis, determining fixed carbon, moisture, volatiles and ashes composition, and by ultimate analyses, determining the content of C, H, N, S and O. The content of hemicellulose, lignin and cellulose was also determined. The methodologies are described elsewhere and all characterizations were performed on a dry basis. Pyrolysis tests were performed in a fixed-bed vertical pyrolysis oven, with a maximum temperature of 500 to 700 C, variable heating rate up to 50 C/min, retention time of 0.5 h, and N2 flow of 20 mL/min. The bio-oil and biochar were qualitatively characterized using FTIR and the products distribution was analyzed in relation to the biomass samples previous characterization.
Modeling and simulation of biomass pyrolysis and gasification processes
Publication . Maldonado, Pedro; Lenzi, Giane G.; Gomes, Helder; Brito, Paulo
In computer simulation, the processes and equipment operate following the sequence of input data, data processing, and return output data. Typically, these data are mass flows, temperatures,
compositions, and pressures. Specifically, modeling and simulation of gasification systems aid in predicting the outlet gas composition when operating conditions and scale size alter. This assists in
planning the construction or retrofitting of existing equipment. UniSim Design is a chemical process modeling software, similar to Aspen Plus and Aspen Hysys. It is used in engineering to create
dynamic and steady-state models for plant design, monitoring, troubleshooting, planning, and management [1]. However, regardless of the software used for modeling and simulation of the
gasification process, there is a pattern of steps that must be followed in order to successfully perform the simulation. Therefore, this process is divided into 4 main steps: Drying or removal of
moisture present in the biomass until 5% w/w; followed by Pyrolysis, which was split into Devolatilization, and Char cracking, both calculated with the help of Microsoft Excel; Combustion, where
oxidation equilibrium reactions are added; and finally the Reduction step, which is divided in the heterogeneous and homogeneous stages, where equilibrium reactions are also inserted
Biomass characterization and pyrolysis towards bio-oil production
Publication . Batista, Gabriel de Freitas; Brito, Paulo
Biomass is considered one of the most promising renewable energy sources in the
world, mainly due to its extended availability in rural areas. There are many advantages in using biomass
as an energy source, namely its carbon neutrality and being a non-polluting source. In this context, the
main technologies for fuel and/or energy production are pyrolysis, gasification, or combustion [1].
2. Experimental - Biomass sample (pellets) composition was characterized by proximate analysis,
determining the fixed carbon, moisture, volatiles and ashes, ultimate analyses, determining the content of
C, H, N, S and O. The content of hemicellulose, lignin and cellulose was also determined. The
methodologies are described elsewhere [2]. Bio-oil sample obtained by biomass pyrolysis performed in a
fixed-bed vertical pyrolysis oven, with a maximum temperature of 500 ºC, a heating rate of 10 ºC/min, a
retention time of 0.5 h and a N2 flow of 20 mL/min, was qualitatively characterized using FTIR.
3. Results and Discussion - The results of the biomass characterization are shown in Table 1. It is
noteworthy that the pellets have a low value for ashes, being a suitable feedstock for the pyrolysis, as a
high concentration of ashes biomass could cause clogging of the equipment during the pyrolysis.
According to the ultimate analysis, the average chemical formulation of this biomass would be
C1H0.12N0.003O1.03. The yield of the pyrolysis products (wt% basis) was 23.975 %, 28.31 % and 47.15 %
for biochar, bio-oil and non-condensable gases respectively. In Image 1, the main peaks observed are the
OH vibrations, in the region of 3100 to 3500 cm-1, the peaks between 1650 and 1720 cm-1 relative to the
C=O stretching vibrations, the peaks of 1600 and 1450 cm-1 related to aromatic rings, and the peak in the
range of 900 to 700 cm-1 is related to substituents of an aromatic ring
Evaluation of heating rate on the pyrolysis of residual biomass for biochar production
Publication . Batista, Gabriel de Freitas; Brito, Paulo
Biochar is a carbon rich solid product of biomass thermal conversion, which contains several properties for a wide range of applications that promote the attention of industries and researchers
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Funding agency
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Funding programme
3599-PPCDT
Funding Award Number
PCIF/GVB/0197/2017